title: Age and belongingness moderate the effects of combat exposure on suicidal ideation among active duty Air Force personnel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if intensity of combat exposure relates to suicidal ideation among active duty Air Force personnel according to age and perceived belonging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-report measures of suicidal ideation, combat exposure (e.g., firing weapons, being fired upon), aftermath exposure (e.g., seeing dead bodies and devastation), emotional distress, belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness were completed by 273 (81.7% male; 67.8% Caucasian, 20.5% African American, 2.2% Native American,.7% Asian,.4% Pacific Islander, and 8.4% "other"; age M=25.99, SD=5.90) active duty Air Force Security Forces personnel. Multiple regression modeling was utilized to test the associations of combat exposure and aftermath exposure with recent suicidal ideation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant age-by-combat exposure interaction was found (B=0.014, SE=0.006, p=0.019), suggesting combat exposure and suicidal ideation was strongest among military personnel above the age of 34. The age-by-aftermath exposure interaction was not significant (B=-0.003, SE=0.004, p=0.460). A significant three-way interaction of age, combat exposure, and belongingness was also found (B=0.011, SE=0.005, p=0.042). The Johnson-Neyman test indicated that suicidal ideation was most severe among Airmen above the age of 29 years with high combat exposure and low levels of belongingness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cross-sectional, self-report design limited to two Air Force units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A strong sense of belonging protects against suicidal ideation among Airmen above the age of 29 years who have been exposed to higher levels of combat.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Veterans Studies, USA. craig.bryan@utah.edu
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McNaughton-Cassill
authors.forename: Augustine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Belonging; Combat; Military; Protective factors; Suicidal ideation; Suicide